National ICE Hockey Officials Association 2012 OFFICIATING MECHANICS 2 Referees & 2 Linesmen 1
Face-off - Dropping the Puck The official dropping the puck shall set the players and hold the puck at the beltline. When the players are legally set, the official shall drop the puck. The official will not present the puck or hold the puck away from the beltline. 2 2R-2L
2R + 2L Officiating System Provides the officials the opportunity for a better level and standard of officiating. The Refereeing Team Both referees are in control of the game and have equal authority. There should be no competition between the two referees to assess penalties Referees must be consistent in all actions during the game. Flexible Provides opportunity to be positioned to maximize sightlines. Either referee may cross to opposite side of ice but, both must work together as a team. Two referees on the same side of ice is not an issue. Should this happen one of the referees can transition to opposite side when the opportunity presents itself. Should the Front/Lead Referee be trapped or unable to cover the action area the Back/Trailing Referee will assume the Lead Referee s duties and the Lead Referee will position as the Trailing Referee. Front/Lead Referee Skates backwards ahead of advancing play. Must always be positioned at the net for goal situations. Positioned in end zone (positioning similar to that of the referee in 1R-2L officiating system). First priority is the action area (where the puck is). Should be positioned close to the action area. Positioned for best view or angle of the action or players or puck. Can change side of ice surface at end zone if play dictates crossing back and forth behind net. Back/Trailing Referee Positioned between blue and red lines. Observant of play/situations away from the action area. May vary position between blue and red lines and back and forth across the ice. Adjust position for best sightlines of play. Responsible, while in neutral zone, to adjust position, including from one side to opposite side of ice surface, based on position of Lead Referee in the end zone. Attacking player in neutral zone should not be behind Trailing Referee. Communicate Referees and Linesmen must communicate with each other. This is key to the 2R+2L system. Best accomplished via eye-to-eye contact. There will be times when verbal communications can and should be 3 2R-2L
Referee s Judgment Trust Your Instincts The 2R+2L system works best when approached as a team effort. Referees must trust their judgment and their instincts. If a referee is 100% certain and can see that an infringement of the rules has occurred, the call must be made. If the referee is not 100% certain that a foul has occurred, or is confident that the other referee has seen and judged the play, then a call should not be made. To make the call If one referee is not able to make the appropriate call which is witnessed by the other referee, both referees have the authority to make any appropriate call. This is applicable to action anywhere on the ice surface. The areas of judgment between game officials may be challenged (e.g., the Lead Referee says it is no penalty and the Trail Referee says penalty ). The judgment of the referee and between referees must not be challenged on the ice. Both referees have the right to stop play and assess a penalty. Negative Comments Officials should never make negative comments or allow body language to suggest disapproval of a fellow official s call or non-call. Nor should a referee ever lay the blame for a call or non-call on the other referee. Where one referee calls a penalty and the other referee is questioned by players/coaches, a good comment to make in reply is He/she had a better angle to call it. Referees shall refrain from saying Good call or I support the call. Washout To show good team work between the two referees, it is important to be aware of the danger of giving the wash out signal in case of nonpenalty calls. Referees shall not use the washout signal to indicate no penalty. It is recommended that the referees not use any verbal or other signals for non-calls. The Officiating Team Where there are multiple penalties to be called on any play, the two referees should consult to ensure all appropriate penalties are assessed. Either referee may report all penalties to the Penalty/ Timekeeper. Even though there are two referees on the ice, involve the linesmen if necessary as they may have had a better angle of the situation. Linesmen are to change ends of the ice at the midway point of the game, or at the next stoppage if a penalty is in effect. 4 2R-2L
Teams Enter Rink Positioning of Officials TEAM A TEAM B is positioned in the Referee s Crease observing the players. is positioned at center ice or at the location where teams cross as they proceed to their respective benches. and are positioned at the entry locations of each of the teams observing the players as they enter the rink. After all players have entered the rink all officials must continue to be observant of players. Positioning of officials may be altered based on team entry points to the ice surface. *Note: Rs & Ls are numbered for identification only. 5 2R-2L
Center Ice Face-off Start of each Period and after Goal conducts the face-off facing the timekeeper/penalty box. is positioned facing and off the red line so as to allow a field of vision that includes all players on the red line, especially those behind. will lead the play. and line up on the blue lines, diagonally and on opposite sides of the rink. After a goal, the linesman should be positioned nearest the team scored upon in a goal situation. Should the referees decide that game conditions warrant, they may have one of the Ls conduct the face-off. The Ls and Rs will position opposite to that when a referee conducts the face-off. After a goal the L on the blue line retrieves the puck. ALL OFFICIALS MUST BE OBSERVENT OF PLAYERS DURING STOPPAGES IN PLAY. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 6 2R-2L
After Center Ice Face-off Puck advances towards End Zone TEAM A Team A Team B TEAM B conducts the face-off facing the timekeeper/penalty box. is positioned facing. moves towards the end zone, if possible skating backwards observing the play and, not interfering with players as they advance up the ice. is positioned at the blue line and is responsible for calls at the blue line. takes a position in the neutral zone, that does not interfere with the L s view of the blue line, providing for the best sightline to end zone. moves to a position at the red line. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 7 2R-2L
Responsibility of Officials Puck deep in the End Zone As the play advances into the end zone, skating backwards ahead of and observing the play, must not obstruct s field of vision at the red line or blue line. is positioned deep in the zone providing for best view or angle of the action or players or puck. must always be positioned at the net for goal situations. can change to other side of ice surface in the end zone if play dictates, crossing back and forth behind net. takes a position in the neutral zone, that does not interfere with the L s view of the blue line, providing for the best sightline to end zone, observant of play/situations away from the action area. An attacking player in neutral zone should not be behind. Both referees have the authority to make any appropriate call. This is applicable to action anywhere on the ice surface. is positioned at the blue line and on the boards. is positioned at the red line and on the boards. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 8 2R-2L
Responsibility of Officials Neutral Zone TEAM A TEAM B When the play is moving through the neutral zone, obstruction infractions and hits on the player shooting the puck into the far end zone are the responsibility of. transitions to Trail Referee. The number one priority must be the hit on the puck carrier and then the secondary responsibility is on potential obstruction fouls through the neutral zone. must be prepared to pick up the action once puck possession has been gained inside the zone., who is now transitioning to Lead Referee and is skating backwards, is watching the play develop and ensuring that he/she does not get in the way of the puck being shot into the far end zone. While the players are in pursuit of the puck, it is 's responsibility to watch for obstruction fouls on the players entering the end zone. Both referees have the authority to make any appropriate call. This is applicable to action anywhere on the ice surface. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 9 2R-2L
Neutral Zone Face-off Puck advances towards End Zone drops the puck. As play advances towards the end zone, covers the blue line., after dropping the puck, moves back to a position on the boards at the blue line relieving. then releases to a position at the red line., skating backwards, moves into the zone ahead of and observing the play. takes a position in the neutral zone, that does not interfere with the L s view of the blue line, providing for the best sightline to end zone. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 10 2R-2L
Neutral Zone Face-off Puck advances towards Far End Zone TEAM A TEAM B After the puck is dropped, the play moves towards the far end zone., skating backwards, moves up the ice and into the end zone observing the play. moves up the ice with the play to cover the blue line. trails play as it moves up the ice taking a position in the neutral zone, that does not interfere with the L s view of the blue line, providing for the best sightline to end zone. moves to a position at the red line. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 11 2R-2L
Offside has called offside, goes to the location of the face-off and will conduct the face-off. retrieves the puck and brings it to. conducts the line change procedure. On a delayed offside, the L signaling the delay raises the non-whistle arm fully extended above the head. To nullify a delay, the L shall drop the arm to the side. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 12 2R-2L
End Zone Face-off Puck remains in End Zone TEAM A TEAM B 's primary responsibility is to signal a legal goal. is between the goal line and the face-off circle across from the face-off seeing that a proper face-off is conducted. If warranted, may position on the same side as the face-off and behind the defensemen. will conduct the line change procedure. takes a position in the neutral zone, that does not interfere with the L s view of the blue line, providing for the best sightline to end zone. Based on s position may select an alternate position. conducts proper face-off. After the drop, moves to the boards and out to a position at the blue line and on the boards. moves to the red line releasing responsibility for covering the blue line to. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 13 2R-2L
End Zone Face-off Puck moves towards Far End Zone After the puck is dropped, the play moves toward the neutral zone and to far end zone., skating backwards, moves up the ice and into the far end zone observing the play. holds the blue line until the line is cleared and it is likely that play will continue towards the far end zone or when relieved by. must cover the play at the far blue line. moves to a position at the red line. trails play as it moves up the ice taking a position in the neutral zone, that does not interfere with the L s view of the blue line, providing for the best sightline to end zone. The R s and the L s responsibilities change from Lead R and L to Trailing R and L. Both referees have the authority to make any appropriate call. This is applicable to action anywhere on the ice surface. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 14 2R-2L
Face-off with 10 Seconds or Less Remaining in Period TEAM A TEAM B 's primary responsibility is to signal a legal goal. is between the goal line and the face-off circle across from the face-off seeing that a proper face-off is conducted. conducts the line change procedure. then takes a position in the neutral zone, that does not interfere with the L s view of the blue line, providing for the best sightline to end zone and, will blow the whistle when there is no time remaining on the clock. conducts the face-off. After dropping the puck, moves to the goal line to assist with calling a goal. has responsibility for covering the blue line. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 15 2R-2L
Eight Seconds or Less Remaining in Period skates to the goal line to assist with calling a goal. remains at the blue line observing the play. moves to the blue line and is responsible for covering the blue line. If is on the other side of the rink (same side as ) then will go to the goal line, with remaining at the blue line. The official at the blue line will blow the whistle when there is no time remaining on the clock. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 16 2R-2L
Penalty Shot TEAM A TEAM B is on the goal line and signals a legal goal, if scored. assists with calling a legal goal. is positioned at the red line conducting the penalty shot procedure assisted by. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 17 2R-2L
Icing NCAA Icing Decision Point Icing will be handled by the linesmen. signals icing by raising the non-whistle arm fully extended above the head. on receiving the icing signal skates towards the far goal line extended. The Rs must continue to advance with the play to be positioned should L waive the icing. If the puck crosses the goal line extended before it is played by either team or can be played by a non-icing team player,, after checking with to see that icing is still on, immediately blows the whistle to stop play and raises the non-whistle arm. If and are on the same side of the ice, should pass behind so as not to obstruct s sightline to the play. trails the play out of the zone keeping all players in full view. When icing is called, is responsible for controlling the benches making certain the team icing the puck does not change its players and, conducts the line change procedure. skates backwards to the end zone face-off spot, folds the arms across the chest signaling icing. retrieves the puck and delivers to, then positions for the face-off. moves to a position for the end zone face-off. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 18 2R-2L
Line Change Procedure TEAM A TEAM B The R not involved in reporting a goal or penalty should be positioned in the neutral zone in front of the benches, providing a good field of vision of players coming onto and exiting the ice., conducting the line change procedure, will point to the face-off location to start the line change procedure. After five second, will raise the non-whistle arm, indicating to the visiting team that its time to change players has ended, and to the home team that it has eight seconds to complete its line change. After eight seconds, will lower the raised arm. is positioned to observe players transitioning from the rink to the benches and from the benches to the face-off location., conducting the face-off, will blow the whistle briefly indicating that the puck will be dropped in no more than five seconds. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 19 2R-2L
End Zone Whistle Positioning of Officials after Whistle TEAM A TEAM B and move towards area of stoppage in play controlling the players. moves closer to the stoppage observing the players in the general area of the stoppage in play. moves towards the location of the stoppage in play keeping all players in full view, including offensive defensemen, who may have entered beyond the top of the face-off circles. Both referees have the authority to make any appropriate call. This is applicable to action anywhere on the ice surface. *Note: = Front/Lead Referee = Back/Trail Referee = Front/Lead Linesman = Back/Trail Linesman 20 2R-2L